By: Barnali Bose ( Sr. Associate Editor ICN-Group )
KOLKATA: Some days back, Nature Club members of St. Agnes’ Convent School, Howrah were taken for a Nature Study Program to Banabitan Biodiversity Park in Salt lake city. WWF Kolkata had organised the trip .
Besides strolling through the beautiful rose garden, the following activities not only ignited their interest in nature but also enhanced their knowledge through hands-on experience.
- Water quality analysis was done by a WWF researcher. Presence of Water Strider in the water body proved that the water was not potable. pH testing of the water and total hardness analysis of the water was also done. pH of the water was 7 signifying neutral pH and the water was not hard as per the result of the total hardness test
- Bird watching was done and birds such as Cormorant, Oriental Magpie Robin, Lesser flameback, woodpecker, White-throated kingfisher, Rose-ringed parakeet, Crested serpent eagle, Jungle babbler, Lesser whistling duck, Black Drongo, Purple-headed sunbird, Coppersmith Barbet, Rufous tree-pie, and the Green bee-eater were sighted, thereby enlightening them about the winged wonder of Nature.
- At the Butterfly park, a variety of butterflies were spotted. Some of them were- Plain tiger, Blue tiger, Common mormon, Tailed jay, Common crow, Psyche, Common grass yellow, were seen. However ,they were elusive.
- There was a butterfly laboratory, where the life cycle of butterfly was observed from the caterpillar, pupal, cocoon to the butterfly stage. The lab assistant very patiently demonstrated the same to groups of students.
- In fact, the girls were extremely elated when the lab assistant allowed two students to assist in the first flight of two fully formed butterflies. The lid of the jars were removed and with the tapping of finger on the jar,each of the two butterflies spread their colourful wings and soon merged in the wilderness. All of us were awestruck at the sight.
- A Wildlife based Dumb charade was played with the students of the school. The girls participated enthusiastically in it.
- Chocolates were distributed among the students by the WWF moderators.
The trip was not only an educative one but a refreshing change from the daily routine .
